You have the right to a

name, and this should be

officially recognized by the
government. You have the
right to a nationality (to
belong to a country).

All children have these rights, no matter who they are, where
they live, what their parents do, what language they speak,
what their religion is, whether they are a boy or girl, what
their culture is, whether they have a disability, or whether
they are rich or poor. No child should be treated unfairly
on any basis.

All adults should do what is

best for you. When adults
make decisions, they should
think about how their
decisions will affect children.

Article 9

Article 8

You have the right to live

with your parent(s), unless it
is bad for you. You have the
right to live with a family
who cares for you.

You have the right to an

identity an official record
of who you are. No one
should take this away from
you.

Article 4

Article 5

The government has a

responsibility to make sure
your rights are protected.
They must help your family
protect your rights and
create an environment
where you can grow and
reach your potential.

Article 10

If you live in a different

country than your parents,
you have the right to be
together in the same place.

Article 18

You have the right to be

raised by your parent(s) if
possible.

Article 20

You have the right to special

care and help if you cannot
live with your parents.

Article 31

Article 33

You have the right to choose

your own religion and
beliefs. Your parents should
help you decide what is
right and wrong, and what
is best for you.

You have the right to play

and rest.

If you live in care or in other

situations away from home,
you have the right to have
these living arrangements
looked at regularly to
see if they are the most
appropriate.

You have the right to privacy.

Article 17

You have the right to get information that is important to

your well-being, from radio, newspaper, books, computers
and other sources. Adults should make sure that the
information you are getting is not harmful, and help you find
and understand the information you need.

Article 23

Article 26

Article 27

Article 28

Article 29

Article 30

Article 34

Article 36

Article 38

You have the right to care

and protection if you are
adopted or in foster care.

You have the right to help

from the government if you
are poor or in need.

You have the right to special

protection and help if you are
a refugee (if you have been
forced to leave your home
and live in another country),
as well as all the rights in this
Convention.

You have the right to a

good quality education. You
should be encouraged to go
to school to the highest level
you can.

You have the right to be free

from sexual abuse.

You have the right to

protection from harmful drugs
and from the drug trade.

You have the right to protection from work that harms you,
and is bad for your health and education. If you work, you
have the right to be safe and paid fairly.

You have the right to help if

youve been hurt, neglected
or badly treated.

You have the right to special

education and care if you
have a disability, as well
as all the rights in this
Convention, so that you can
live a full life.

You have the right to food,

clothing, a safe place to
live and to have your basic
needs met. You should not
be disadvantaged so that
you cant do many of the
things other kids can do.

Article 32
Article 39

Article 40

You have the right to legal

help and fair treatment
in the justice system that
respects your rights.

You have the right to choose

your own friends and join or
set up groups, as long as it
isnt harmful to others.

UNICEF Canada/2010/SriUtami

Article 16

UNICEF Canada/2010/SriUtami

You have the right to the

best healthcare possible,
safe water to drink,
nutritious food, a clean
and safe environment, and
information to help you
stay well.

Article 15

You have the right to be

protected from kidnapping.

Article 22

You have the right to be protected from being hurt and

mistreated, in body or mind.

Article 25

Article 14

You have the right to find

out things and share what
you think with others, by
talking, drawing, writing
or in any other way unless
it harms or offends other
people.

Article 21

Article 19

Article 24

You have the right to be alive.

Article 13

Article 11

in child friendly language

UNICEF Canada wants to support you and your school as you explore rights, respect and
responsibility for yourself and others here and around the world. UNICEF Canadas Rights
Respecting Schools (RRS) initiative uses the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the
Child (the Convention) to make sure everyone feels included and respected. It includes giving
you meaningful opportunities to voice opinions about your school, and to make it the best
school it can be!

Article 6

Article 12

You have the right to give

your opinion, and for
adults to listen and take it
seriously.

THE CONVENTION ON THE

RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Every child in Canada and around the world from birth to 18 has rights. Rights are what you
should have or be able to do to survive, thrive and meet your full potential. All rights are
equally important and are connected to each other. You are born with these rights, and no one
can take them away.

Your family has the

responsibility to help you
learn to exercise your rights,
and to ensure that your
rights are protected.

Article 41

If the laws of your country

provide better protection of
your rights than the articles
in this Convention, those
laws should apply.

Article 42

You have the right to know

your rights! Adults should
know about these rights and
help you learn about them, too.

unicef.ca/schools
This text is not an official version of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Access the official text at unicef.org/crc.

Article 35

No one is allowed to kidnap

or sell you.

Article 43-54

These articles explain

how governments and
international organizations
like UNICEF will work
to ensure children are
protected with their rights.

UNICEF/NYHQ2007-0877/Cranston

Article 7

Article 3

UNICEF Canada/2010/SriUtami

Everyone under 18 has

these rights.

Article 2

UNICEF/NYHQ2006-2251/Pirozzi

Article 1

Your education should

help you use and develop
your talents and abilities.
It should also help you
learn to live peacefully,
protect the environment and
respect other people.

You have the right to

protection from any kind of
exploitation (being taken
advantage of).

Article 37

No one is allowed to punish

you in a cruel or harmful way.

You have the right to

practice your own culture,
language and religion.
Minority and indigenous
groups need special
protection of this right.

You have the right to

protection and freedom
from war. Children under 15
cannot be forced to go into
the army or take part in war.